Machine for bagging potatoes.



PATBNTBD MAY 22, 1906.

G. E. REHBBRGER. MAGHINE POR BAGGING PO'IATOES.

APPLICATION FILED DEQ. 31, 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED MAY 22, 1906.

G. E. REHBERGER. MACHINE FOR BAGGING POTATOES..

AIPLIOATION FILED DBO. 31, 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

VV/H sse s jj In wl/lo r. iefm-J @MQ l n? Q/o rn exi/s:

PATENTED MAY 22, 1906 G. E. REHBBRGER. MACHINE POR BAGGING POTATOES.

APPLICATION FILED DBC. 31. 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 821,314. PATENTED MAY 22, 1906.

. G. E. REHBERGER.

MACHINE POR BAGGING POTATOES.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 31, 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED .STATES PATENT- oEEio-E.

GEORGE E. REHBERGER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

MACHINE FOR BAGGING PoTAToEs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

rammed may 22, 190e.v

l Application filed December 31, 1902. Serial No. 137.280.

To all whom iv' may concern,.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. REH- BERGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 'in Machines for Bagging Potatoes, of which the following is a specification.

` sent a device lof this character which is eld normally inoperative and is rovided with means where y the weightof t e contents of a bag being filled brings the invention into operative position.

Furthermore, an-object of this invention is to provide a device applicable to a potatodigger or other agricultural machine whereby the device is caused to operate when in operyati've position by the operation of the agricultural machine.

With-the foregoing and other objects .in

-view the invention consists in the details of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In 4describing the invention in detail reference will be had to the accom panying drawin s, forming part of this speci ication, whereg in ike characters denote corresponding parts 1n the several views, in wh1ch .supporting tables.

Figure .1 is a side elevation of the machine. Fig.- 2 is -a vertical section on the line 2 2 of Fi 1, looking toward the rear of the machine, with the endless conveyer removed. Fig. 3.is a 1skeleton plan view of the rear end of the machine, showing the chutes and bag- Fig. 4 is a horizontal longitudinal section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the mechanism for p ciisitively operating the crank mechanism. g. 6 1s a fragmentary lan view of one of the 'discharging-tables, il ustrating the mechanism for feedin the bags. Fig. 7 is a fragment'ary vertica view of the guiding-bars of vthe delivery mechanism. Figs. 8 and 9 are -top views of details of thedelivery Vmechanism.' Fig. 10 is a transverse section of the dellvery mechanism, showing thebags ap- 'the openings in t 's screen an the frame A is supported by the wheels A2,

and at the rear the saidframe is su ported by the wheels A, mounted on the a e-shaft A3. The axle-shaft A3 is revoluble With-.the wheels A4, and said shaft carries a gear-Wheel a, which revolves therewith and meshes a gear-wheel d, which latter is carried .ona horizontal shaft a2, extending crosswise the machine and supported, 1n bearings a v each side of the frame A. Mounted on the extreme ends of the shaft a2 are sprocketwheels a3. ri"

Beneath the rectangularframe A and extending across the machine is a horizontal shaft b, which is supported at each end in bearings on the frame A. This horizontal shaft l) is provided on each end with a sprocket-wheel b and chains b2, which pass laround both the sprocket-wheels a? and b and transmit motion to the shaft b. The eX-l treme outer end of the shaft b carries a sprocket b3.

A suitable conveyer D is arranged near the front of the frame A and extends to the top of the frame A. As this machine is intended more especially to be applied to a potato-digger, it is to be understood that it is the obj ect of the conveyor to carry the potatoes dug up by the shovel F to the top of the frame A.

Two screens I and I are secured `in an suitable manner between the vertical stan ards of the frame A', and one screen has po sition directly above the other. The uppermost screen I is a coarser mesh than the lower screen I and the otatoes and earth fall from the conveyer an dro on the screen I, and the small otatoes wil ass through dp fall through the mesh thereof onto the lower screen I. A chute L2 is positioned beneath the screens I nd I and serves to catch the material that sifts through the screens. Said chute Lzleads to and discharges behind the conveyer D.,

ICO

IIO

Two inclined chutes L L are supported in any suitable manner and lead from the ends of the screens I I', respectively, on an incline to opposite sides of the machine or frame A. The lower ends of the chutes rest on cross-rods Z2, which extend crosswise of the frame A and are supported at each end by vertical standards Z3. As the potatoes pass from the screens onto the chutes L L they are conveyed to the opposite sides of the machine to be received by the bags held by the mechanism now to be described and which forms the essential feature of this linvention.

The mechanism now to be described is duplicated-that is, there are two separate and independent chutes for discharging potatoes, and consequently there must be two bagholding devices-and as each of these devices is alike in every detail but one need be described. Above the frame A the machine is provided with a table M, which is pivotally supported near one end on the shaft b. The opposite end of the said table rests on a spiral spring M', which latter is supported on a bracket M2. It is to be noticedthat the table M extends considerably beyond the shaft b. The table M, or its portion beyond the shaft b, carries two brackets m, which support a horizontal shaft m', and this shaft carries a gear-wheel m2, arranged between said brackets. On an outer end of the shaft m is mounted a sprocket-wheel m3. A sprocketchain m4 passes around the wheel m3 and also around the sprocket-wheel b, from which latter the chain is continuously driven when the machine is in motion. The sprocketwheel b is iiXed on the shaft b intermediate the frame and the wheel b.

The vertical bars B of the frame A each support a hanger n. Mounted in the hanger is a horizontal crank-shaft n', having at each end a crank n2. The crank-shaft 'n' carries a gear-wheel n3, which is in line with the gear m2 and at certain times meshes with said gearing and is revolved to impart motion to the crank-shaft 'n' of the cranks 11,2. It will be seen that if the rear end of a table M is loaded with a iilled bag of potatoes that end of the table will be depressed, because the spring M is not of sufficient strength to suport a filled bag. The depression of this end of the table will raise the opposite end oi' the table, and with it the parts m m2 m3, carried thereby, and cause the gear-Wheel m2 to mesh with the gear-wheel n3, which is carried by the crank-shaft m. yAs the gear-wheel 'm2 is continuously revolving the gear-wheel n3 will revolve as long as the last-named end, which is the forward end, of the table remains raised or elevated. When the illed bag is removed from the rear end of the table, the spring M will return the table to its normal position,

and the Crear-wheels m2 and m3 will be disengaged. llt may he stated that the strength `ject between the said guide-bars.

of the spring M may be predetermined in order that the quantity to be held by a bag may be automatically controlled.

The bag -feeding mechanism comprises two vertical standards o, which support two parallel horizontal guide-bars o o2, oneabove the other, and the opposing sides of said bars each have a bead or tongue o3. The bottom surface of the bar o is provided between its ends with a plurality of inverted-V-shaped notches o, and at the extreme outer end the said bar is provided with two depending spring-catches c5. Secured to the sides of these guide-bars are brackets P, and a slide P extends through said bracket and has a sliding movement in a lengthwise longitudinal direction and parallel with the bars o- 02. This slide P is provided on its inner vertical side with a plural number of pawls P2, which latter projectl inwardly between the guidebars o and o2. The said slide P is also provided near one end with a slot P2, which extends longitudinally thereof. A cross head or slide q also extends through one of the said brackets P. Said cross-head slides in a direction parallel with the slide P and is provided at one end with a block or head g. This block or head g is provided with a pawl g2, which, like the pawls P2, projectsl between the guide-bars o and o2. This cross-head g is provided with a plate g3, which projects over the top of the slide P and projects down into the slot P3 in said slide in order that the cross-head, may have a limited longitudinal movement independently of the slide, so that the slide P will not move until the plate g3 has reached the end of the slot P3. A oonnecting-rod g4 connects the cross-head q with the crank n2, so that when the gear-wheel n3 revolves it will impart a rotary movement to the crank, and the latter in turn will transmit a reciprocating motion to the cross-head by means of the connecting-rod.

A rod 1', as seen in Fig. 6, extends in a crosswise direction above the forward end of the table M and at each end is provided with a block r', which rides in the space between the uide-bars o and o2, as seen in Fig. 11. This lock 1" is provided in its side with an opening r2, and on its t'op the said block is provided with a pawl 73, which engages the V-shaped notches o4 in the upper bar o.

It will be understood that the slide P reciprocatesat the vertical side of the guidebars o and o2 and that the pawls P2 pro- These pawls are disposed or spaced on the slide at equal distances from each other, and the notches o4 on the guide-baro', beneath which said pawls move, are spaced apart the same distance as the pawls. Now when the slide makes its forward stroke toward the front of the machine the pawl P2 next in front ofthe block 1" Will ride over the vertical front ed' e of the said block 'r and spring into the si e IOO IIO

-pening 'r2 thereof, and when the next rear-v will always start from the saine point, a ward or reverse movement of the slide takes special and simple device 1s provided, which place the pawls P2, engaging the blocks 1", will now be described. will draw'the latter bac with it. The block With particular reference to F1g. 5, 1t will is thus moved rearwardly until its pawl r3 enbe seen that a bracket m isprovided with an 7o a es another of the bottom notches o in the arm t', and the outer end of this arm carries a guide-bar o', by which it will be held while pin t2. The gear n3 has a pin t3, which prothe slid makes a second forward movement. l jects laterally therefrom, and the shaft fn', on The bags S are' provided on opposite sides which said gear is mounted, is provided-with ro with metallic blocks s', and these blocks 'are a bell-crank lever u, one arm of which has a 75 provided in their sides with depressions or pawl u which lies in the path of the pin t3 of slots s2, and their tops and bottoms are each the gear. Arod 'u2 is pivotally connected at provided with grooves s3. These bags are one end to the bell-crank lever, and the other supported at each side by the guide-bars o end of said rod is pivotally connected to the and o2, and the blocks s are fed into the free end of the leveru. This latter lever is `8o spaces by each pair of bars. In feeding the pivoted at u* to a stationary part of the maempty bags rearward the pawls P2 take in chine, such as the frame A', and the outer the depressions or slots s2, and when the slide end of said lever lis provided with a slot v, P is moved rearward each bag is also moved which receives the pin t2. It will. be rememzo rearward, and the block r will be moved bered that the bracket fm is secured to the 85 rearwardly at the same time and will hold table M and moves therewit When the the bags stationary while the slides P and bracket is lowered with the table, the slotted the pawls P2 make their return stroke. Thus end of the lever u? is also lowered and the opateach stroke of the slide P all the bags are posite end of said lever and the rod u?. are z 5 moved rearwardly one notch and held in raised and the bell-crank lever u caused to 9o "lace. turn in an are of a circle. This movement of When a bag has been filled and discharged the bell-crank lever brings the pawl u against and a new bag is to be put into position, it the pin t3 and in casevthe gear has not made must be opened and held in that position a complete revolution revolves the said gear 3o while the saine is being filled. The mechan until the revolution of the same is completed 95 ism for accomplishing this result is as follows: and in position to be again revolved.

When the connecting-rod Q* moves forward, Means are provided whereby the bags it causes the cross-head g also to make a forwhich have been filled are discharged, and by ward move, and the head g on the end of reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings it will be 3 5 said cross-head has position in line with one seen that the bottom of the bag s while it is roo of the blocks s and the pawl g2 in said head being filled projects beyond the end of the is in engagement with the depression s'l in said table M. Beneath the discharge end of the blocks. When the cross-head is moved reartable is an endless belt T, which passes `over a wardly, it makes a preliminary or independroller on the shaft a2 and then over another I 4o ent movement, because the plate g3 merely roller t at the rear of the wheel A4. As the 105 slides in the slot P3 and allows the slide P to table' is lowered the. bag s seats on t'h`b`elt remain stationary. This preliminary or inand is carried away and is elevated to the dependent movement of the cross-headopens ground by an attendant.

the bag, because the rearward block s on the Having thus described my invention, lwhat bag is held by the head Cp', while the forward l claim as new, and desire to secure by Let- 11o block is held by the sli P', which has not ters Patent, 1s-

' yet begun to move. When the plate g3 of 1. In a machine of the character described,

the cross-head reaches the end of the slot P3, the combination of a table pivoted to the the slide P is then moved forward to the frame thereof, gearing on a frame and the ta- 5o cross-head and all the bags are moved forward ble, a bag-holding means carried by the table, i 1 5 one notch. The blocks s on the open bag means carried by the machine to engage the then have position as seen in Fig. 7 and are gearing of the table when said table is tilted, held by the spring-catches of. and suitablev connections between the said It has been explained that by the tilting of means on the machine and the bag-holding the table M the gears 'm2 and m3 are made to means of the table to reciprocate said bagizo mesh and the latter gear to be revolved, and holding means. thereby revolve the cranks n2. It has also 2. In a machine of the character described, been explained that the revolution of'the the combination of a table pivoted to the cranks operates the bag-feeding mechanlsm. frame thereof, gearing carried by a frame and 6o It has also been explained that the bag-feedthe table, rotatable means carried by the mai 2 5 ing slides and cross-head make one complete chine comprising a crank-shaft deriving Inoreciprocating movement and then -wait until tion from the gearing when the said table is another bag is filled. In order to insure that tilted, bag-holding means carried by the taacompletebackward-and-forward movement ble to reciprocate thereon, and connections is made by these parts, so that the cranks between the cranks of the shaft and the bag- I3 holding means forV reciprocating said bagholding means when the crank-shaft is rotated.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a shaft carried by the frame, a table pivotally secured to the shaft, a suitably-mounted gear-wheel on the table,

connections between the shaft and gearwheel for driving said gear-wheel, reciprocating bag-holding means on the table, a crankshaft mounted on the frame, connections between the crank-shaft and ba -holding means for reciprocatin said bag -Iiolding means, and a gear-whee on the crank-shaft adapted to mesh with the ear-wheel on the table when said table is ti ted.

4. In combination, a bag-holding means carrie means comprising suitably-sup orted guidebars, bags, blocksfon the ba s a apted to ride between the guide-bars, an means engaging the blocks of the bags to move said bagsforward in one direction.

5. In combination, a bag-holding means carrie means comprising suitably-sup orted guidebars,bags, blocks on the bags a apted to ride between the guide-bars, and means engaging the -blocks of the bags to distend the mouth of the bag and to move said bag in one direction.

6. In combination, a suitably-pivoted table, bag-holding means carried thereby comprising guides, bags, blocks on the bags working within the guides, a follower working within the guides and means for imparting motion to the follower in one direction.

7. In a bag holder, the combination of ivoted table and by the table, said ivoted table 'and by the table, said slide arranged witlF-"Telation to each of the first-named slides and adapted to operate in conjunction therewith, pawls on the slides, bags, blocks on thebags to ride within the guides, said blocks being engaged by the pawls of the slides, and means for imparting reciprocatory motion to the slides, the movement of the second-named slides being independent of the f'rst-named slides a portion of the distance of their travel.

8. In combination, a bag-holder comprising guides, each guide consisting of suitablyspaced bars, brackets secured to the bars, slides working withiny the brackets, pawls on the slides, bags, blocks on the bags slidin within the guides, said blocks being engage by the paw s of the slides, and means for reciprocating the slides.

9. In combination, a bag-holder comprising suitable guides, a slide carried by each of the guides, said' slide having a slot near its end, a second slide positioned with relation to the first-named slide and actin in conjunction therewith, a plate carrie by the Guides, slides carried by the guides, a secondy second slide riding in the slot of the firstnamed slide, bags, blocks on the bags, pawls on the slides engaging the blocks of the bags, and means for imparting a reciprocatory motion to the second-named slides.

10. In a bag-holder, the combination of suitable guides, bags, blocks on the bags riding within the gui imparting motion to the follower in one direction, and means carried by the follower operating inconjunction with the guides for reventing retrograde movement of the folower.

11. In a bag-holder, the combination of guides, each l guide comprising suitablyspaced bars, the opposing face of one of the bars being notched, bags, blocks on the bags riding within the guide, a follower riding within the pawl carried by the follower to engage the notches of the uide .to hold the follower against retrogra e movement.

12. In a bag-holder, the combination of suitable guides, bags, blocks on the bags riding within the guides, a follower riding within the guides, slides carried by the guides, means for imparting motion to the slides, and means carried by the slides for engaging the follower.

13. In a ba -holder, the combination of guides, bags, b ocks on the bags riding within the guides, a follower riding within the guides, the ends of the follower being notched, slides carried by the guides, pawls carried by the guides to engage the notches of the follower f and means for imparting motion to the follower.

14. In a bag-holder, the combination of guides, each of the guides comprising suitably-spaced bars, the opposing face of one of the bars being provided with notches, catches carried by the notched bar of the guide, bags, blocks on the bags riding within the guides, and means carried by the guides engaging the blocks to force the bag in one direction.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a pivoted table on the frame thereof, means for holding said table normally horizontal, bag-holding means .carried by the table, means for intermittently reciprocating said bag-holding means, an additional means acting in conjunction with the first-named means for causing the complete backward-and-forward motion of the reciprocating means.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES B. MANN, Jr., FREDERICK S. Srrr'r.

uide, means for imparting moi tion to the ollower 1n one direction, and a l es, a follower, means for IOO IIC 

